Signature Estate & Investment Advisors, LLC

Above L to R: Brad Hammerman, Jeff Zuanich, Chelsea Traub, Eric Pritz, Kyle Demshki, Vince DiLeva, Len Hirsh, Tamara Patterson, Stephanie Chow

Signature Estate & Investment Advisors, LLC^® (SEIA) is an independent Registered Investment Advisory firm offering wealth management and financial planning services to affluent individuals, families and business owners. With a combined 50 years of wealth management experience and holding multiple advanced degrees and financial designations, managing senior partner Vince DiLeva, MS, CFP, AIF, senior partner Eric Pritz, CFP, and financial advisor Len Hirsh, MBA, CFP, AIF, are proud residents and supporters of the South Bay community. They work in a fiduciary capacity, delivering comprehensive investment advice and employing a team approach with an open-door policy so clients can always reach someone at the firm to address any questions. As personal financial concierges, the SEIA team provides guidance on investment management, retirement planning, estate and legacy planning, tax planning, philanthropic and family foundation management, college savings and insurance solutions.

How is SEIA different?

We understand that priorities shift, goals evolve and unexpected needs arise, and we know that cookie-cutter investment solutions rarely get the job done. We incorporate a range of strategies and maintain flexibility to tactically address new market challenges and opportunities as they arise. SEIA offers customizable and personally crafted portfolios that incorporate our investment committee’s extensive research and market analysis. We even offer a unique “nondiscretionary” approach where clients retain final decision-making authority on investment strategies, specific holdings and trade timing. It’s a great stepping-stone solution for those accustomed to managing their own portfolio and who are thereby hesitant to “turn over the reins.”

What’s new at SEIA?

We are excited to announce that we have a new addition to our team: April Rosenberry, JD, LLM, who joins us as the director of estate, tax and financial planning. April will be leading her team in providing advice on lifetime, trust and estate transfers, focusing on tax-efficient strategies. With the current estate tax laws changing in the near future, April will be able to help our clients navigate estate planning strategies for their families.

Are we headed into a recession?

This time last year, many in our profession were predicting a recession in 2023. However, it never materialized, possibly due to a continuing strong jobs market or the Fed’s rate policies seeming to help cool inflation. Rather than plan for a recession that may or may not come in the next year or beyond, create an investment plan for the economy we are living in right now. That is, a low-growth economy that is grinding along with inflation at 3% to 4%, unemployment at 4%, GDP growing at 1% to 2% and the cost to borrow money at 6% to 8%. And recession talk aside, it is most likely an economic environment we are going to be in for a while.

In our view, the biggest opportunity is in the bond market. There are very attractive yields in high-quality corporate bonds or California municipal bonds. Consider buying bonds to lock in yields over the next six to eight years. If the economy does fall into recession, the Fed will likely lower interest rates, benefiting those bonds. Additionally, in a low-growth environment, build cash flow into your portfolio, which is easier to do in today’s market. Implementing an investment strategy that allows you to take advantage of current market opportunities will not only help protect your investments in the event of a recession but will also put you in a position to have a well-diversified portfolio.

Disclaimer: SEIA is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or tax services. We recommend that all investors seek out the services of competent professionals in any of the aforementioned areas. With respect to the description of any investment strategies, simulations, or investment recommendations, we cannot provide any assurances that they will perform as expected and as described. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Every investment program has the potential for loss as well as gain. The effectiveness of any strategy or investment depends on individual circumstances, financial goals, and market conditions. Prospective and current advisors and clients should carefully consider their investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses before making any investment. There is a risk of loss from an investment in securities, including the risk of loss of principal. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that any specific investment will be profitable or suitable for a particular investor’s financial situation or risk tolerance. Asset allocation and portfolio diversification cannot assure or guarantee better performance and cannot eliminate the risk of investment losses. For more details on the professional designations herein, including description, minimum requirements, and ongoing education requirements, please contact SEIA at 310-712-2323 or visit seia.com/disclosures. Signature Estate & Investment Advisors, LLC (SEIA) is an SEC-registered investment adviser; however, such registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training and no inference to the contrary should be made. Securities off­ered through Signature Estate Securities, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services off­ered through SEIA, 2121 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1600, Los Angeles, CA 90067, 310-712-2323.

Photographed by Fabien & Laura Castro